Tánaiste announces Consular Assistance Overview for 2023

The Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, has announced that the Department of Foreign Affairs provided consular assistance to 2,043 new cases in 2023. This work is in addition to the consular support that is being provided to others on an ongoing basis.

The Tánaiste said:

2023 has seen new and complex crises across the globe. Supporting Irish citizens caught up in these crises has been a core element of the department’s consular work this year. The department proactively alerts citizens to risks they may face in particular regions and puts dedicated consular crisis responses in place, where necessary.

In April, following the outbreak of conflict in Sudan, a dedicated crisis team based in Dublin and the Irish Embassy in Nairobi was established within the department. This team facilitated the evacuation of over 280 Irish citizens and dependents from Sudan between 15 April and 25 May.

Since 7 October, a dedicated crisis team with officers in Dublin, Tel Aviv, Ramallah and Cairo has been responding to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The team has so far assisted 57 citizens and dependents to leave Gaza. The department worked to secure the release of Emily Hand who was held hostage by Hamas and continues to maintain close contact with hundreds of Irish families in Israel and Lebanon. The Department of Foreign Affairs continues to advise against all travel to Israel, the occupied Palestinian territories and to Lebanon.

A number of citizens continue to enter Ukraine, with the purpose of engaging in surrogacy arrangements. The situation across Ukraine remains extremely dangerous, the department strongly advises against all travel to Ukraine, for any purpose. The capacity of the department to provide consular assistance in Ukraine is extremely limited.

Excluding crises related cases in Sudan and the Middle East, 2023 saw a 13% overall increase in newly-recorded consular cases (1,706 new cases), including a 12% increase in deaths of Irish citizens abroad notified to the department, compared with 2022.

Based on records, 2023 has seen the highest number of deaths of Irish citizens overseas reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs. More than one-in-five of all new consular cases in 2023 related to the death of an Irish citizen overseas. The department was also notified of the deaths of a number of Irish citizens as a result of medical and/or cosmetic procedures abroad. The department continues to provide Travel Advice on medical, dental, and cosmetic procedures abroad to assist citizens make an informed decision before travelling overseas to undertake such procedures.

2023 saw a significant increase in deportations (up by 80%); victims of crime (increase of 40%) and an increase of more than one-third in the numbers presenting with issues relating to their mental health and wellbeing.

TravelWise, the department’s Travel Advice service, continues to help Irish citizens to make informed choices about trips overseas with clear and objective Travel Advice for more than 200 destinations worldwide. TravelWise is now available at Ireland.ie/travelwise.

Demand for TravelWise remained high during 2023. Throughout the year, Travel Advice for almost 200 countries and territories was continually updated, receiving approximately 1 million visits throughout the year. The International Travel Unit handled over 4000 queries on international travel from the public in 2022. It also held seasonal TravelWise #KnowBeforeyYouGo summer and winter information and awareness campaigns.

Over 55,000 Irish documents were authenticated for business or personal use overseas, and over 2,890 civil letters of freedom were issued to Irish citizens marrying abroad in 2023.

The Tánaiste said:

The Department of Foreign Affairs provides Travel Advice for 200 destinations worldwide to help citizens to make informed decisions when planning a trip overseas: www.ireland.ie/travelwise. An email service is also available for those with urgent queries at traveladvice@dfa.ie

Irish citizens travelling or residing abroad are encouraged to register on the department’s Citizens Registration platform. This allows the department to contact those registered in the event of an unforeseen crisis and if necessary to provide consular assistance.

The department’s Consular Assistance Charter clearly sets out the assistance that we can provide to citizens in difficulty overseas, and the limits of what we can do.

Citizens requiring assistance while travelling can contact the Department of Foreign Affairs through the closest Irish Embassy or Consulate or by calling the Consular Assistance Unit on +353 1 408 2527.